Travelling back in time to the sights of the English Civil War

Temple Newsam, in Leeds, hosted the first event of its kind at the venue at the weekend, bringing back to life the house's past when the crack of musket, the beat of war drums and chatter around the cooking pot were everyday life.

On Saturday and yesterday the grounds around the house were transformed into a Roundhead soldiers' camp by members of The Earl of Manchester's Regiment of Foote, who were dressed in period clothes, ate 17th century food and slept in authentic tents.

Visitors to Temple Newsam at the weekend were able to learn all about the men who fought the English Civil War and the families they left behind.

The house – whose history stretches back to the Crusades – was rebuilt and remodelled in 1622 by entrepreneur and courtier Sir Arthur Ingram.

Sir Arthur's sons took opposite causes during the Civil War. His grandson Henry joined the court in exile and was rewarded with the title of Viscount Irwin at the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.

Henry and his wife were wildly extravagant, which led to a sale of many of the furnishings of the house after his early death in 1666.